The truth about tonsils

Life seems to be flying by with lots going on these days in preparation for graduation and our big move. After a month or so of a long wait to get Talmage into the ENT, the doctor took half a second to look in his throat and immediately said we should consider getting his tonsils out. The dr said his tonsils were REALLY big (which we already knew) and getting the surgery would make his life much better with sleeping, cognitive development, and possibly diet (not all of those things I was aware of tonsils affecting!)

Long story short, there were no openings for surgery til mid May and we decided not to do it since it would be too busy then with life. So, we told the scheduler thanks but no thanks and to call us if anyone canceled within the week or week and a half. We didn't hear anything else that week and realized it wouldn't happen. 

The next week on Wed, the dr called Scott and said he could do the surgery on Friday--just 2 days later!! Kind of last minute...but we thought it was now or probably in a couple years so we said yes. 

Talmage was super brave and when the anesthesiologist asked him what he wanted to be called or if he had a nickname Talmage replied, "you can call me Macaroni!" So, that's what they started calling him (and no we don't call him that at home even though he keeps asking us to).

Peace out tonsils and adenoids!

All prepped and waiting for the Dr. with the special blanket each patient gets to keep. 

Weird camera angle, but Lady A came along too for the family affair. 

Yoda Soda and more...

Today we celebrated Star Wars Day or "May the 4th Be With You" and were reminiscing about last year when G&G Calder were here to celebrate this random holiday with us. So fun!!

Talmage helped in the preparation today by cutting out the Yodas and coloring some pictures for the decor.

Also on the menu: "Boba Fett"ucine Alfredo and Light Saber breadsticks. For FHE I even found some pictures of me (as a 14 year old-braces and all) at the Florida Air & Space Museum Star Wars exhibit. T really wants to go see the Star Wars costumes for himself. 

Not sure why Afton is lounging on the bench...dinner time shenanigans as usual!!

Gateway to the West

Well 4 years of med school is drawing near to the end and if you didn't already know, Scott has had a countdown to graduation on his phone for the last year probably?!?! Match Day was something we had anticipated for the last year as well... and the reason why Scott was gone on away rotations multiple times in 2014 was to hopefully secure a spot for residency in a program of his choice. To say we were anxious about March 2015 Match Day would be an understatement. We are ECSTATIC to share that Scott will be attending an Emergency Medicine residency at St Louis University for the next 3 years!!! It's quite a relief to know he will indeed be able to practice in the field that he loves. The last 4 years he's worked his tail off and I'm so proud of the next step he'll be taking.

We're extremely grateful to everyone's thoughts, prayers, and support in Scott's/our family's behalf and know that we couldn't have done it without you. So THANK YOU!! We also recognize that Heavenly Father knows us specifically and has blessed us immensely.

Since matching at SLU, I've been surprised at how many people have either lived there or know someone who lives there. Apparently it's a very family-friendly city with lots of fun things to do and also some free attractions including the zoo and other museums which will be wonderful!! We are also looking forward to be 4 hours away from Aub & Sam and of course the cousins can't wait to see each other and play--which will be so much fun too!

Everyone keeps asking how we are feeling about the move and this is how I want to respond (obviously not these exact feelings, but a handful of feelings simultaneously):

In a nutshell, it depends on the moment. We've been extremely blessed with dear friends in Tucson and love the weather here. The day we matched, our friends Alissa & Conner showed up with balloons, Martinelli's and our favorite gelato to say Congratulations. They were so, so thoughtful and are one of the million reasons that will make it bittersweet to leave. But, as one of my friends told me, "It's not goodbye, it's until we see you next time!"

This summer Team Calder will be making the "Gateway to the West" our new home. Come and visit us!

T's Ninja Turtle Party

Talmage picked a Ninja Turtle theme for his birthday this year and it was a lot of fun planning and prepping with him. While Aubrey was in town visiting, we created the invitations for the party and they turned out super cute! Personalized miniature pizza boxes with the party info inside & some fruit snacks.

We loved having mom in town too to celebrate Talmage's 6th birthday! It was so great to have her there to join the festivities and help out.

 The first game was a water relay and this one was such a hit with all the boys! They were really into it and T was super competitive on his team.

Victory dance by T after winning the first round.

Lady A loved getting in on the action too and was really good at running with the water.

Then, they played "Throw the pizza at Shredder" (aka Scott) Isn't that pizza adorable that T made all by himself?!

Scott came up with the ninja turtle balloons all by himself--without looking on Pinterest!! Way to go!

Talmage was playing at Hudson's house the week before and T taught him how to draw ninja turtles. He'd make a great art teacher. I seriously love art made by kids. Hudson made this card for him on top of the present.

Green ninja turtle jello

This game didn't work as planning. We were going to do a relay with balloons tied to their ankles, but they kept popping, so we improvised to something else.

The kids decorated their own ninja turtle cookies. 

Sewer slime was also a big hit!!

The whole crew: Afton, Adam, Quin, Gideon, Kellen, T, Hudson

Happy 6th Birthday to our favorite Talmage!!!! So glad you were born and I'm glad you look forward to your birthday. 

sister time

A few months ago Aub surprised me and said she was coming to visit in February!!! I was so stoked about the news and we had a blast together while she was here. Now that she lives in Kansas City, who knows how often we'll be able to see each other...

Some highlights from her visit (and we didn't get enough pictures together):
-Silhouette training-haha this is true! Another surprise at Christmas was a Silhouette machine and she came to teach me how to use it. She knows that I don't read user manuals for anything...
-Valentine lunch with Scott, Aub and I
-sugar cookies
-sunny park days
-the infamous Ostrich Farm
-game nights
-lots of talking and eating!!

The time flew by and all of us wished she could have stayed longer, but obviously she had to get back to her own little fam. Sam was so generous to watch the boys so Aub could come out for a girls trip. We LOVE You!!!

100 days

Talmage is now 100 days smarter as he has been in kindergarten that long. So crazy!! To commemorate... this week's art project was putting 100 sprinkles on a giant (paper) cupcake. During class today they also had a couple other 100 themed projects.

When T got home from school we whipped up a batch of real cupcakes and he was stoked to help out with the process. I definitely need him to work in the kitchen more often because he loves it. We went around and delivered some to his kinder friends. Happy 100th day of school!!

you're capable

For as long as I can remember, Aunt DeLayna has told me (along with my siblings and cousins) "You're Capable" whenever we're talking about our future or the things that we're currently doing/struggling with/or striving for. A few years back for Christmas Aunt DeLayna gave all of us "You're Capable" shirts and there have been funny resulting stories from when we wear them around. For example, one time my cousin was wearing his during a test in college and all those who sat behind him were encouraged with the You're Capable phrase they looked at on his back throughout the test.
This year, the 2nd generation of capable kids were presented with t-shirts. When I told Afton to look at me and say "you're capable" so I could take her picture she declared, "I'm Capable!!!!" Haha, she clearly understands the meaning of the shirt. But apparently I couldn't get either child to look at me, nonetheless they love their "capable shirts"!

joyeux noel

Ahh Joyeux Noel you never disappoint! This year Morgan was head of the festivities and mom the chef de jour. Berets all around and we agreed that Aunt Janet wore hers best. I think we each ate a full baguette per person smeared with decadent Boursin... and the kids love it too (they are cheese connoisseurs mind you). 

And lets talk about that table and view from those windows in the beautiful Crockett home--picture looking out across the sparkling Salt Lake valley where you can see for miles. I'm so proud of what my parents accomplished and we were extremely happy to celebrate the first Christmas there with them! 

Since it was Christmas Eve, Dad read the Christmas story and we enjoyed looking at pieces of the Jerusalem nativity -- feeling peace with the glimmer of Christmas lights. 

After dinner entertainment: painting "stained glass" pieces

This boy sure loves Christmas!! Here he is admiring a pic of me ^^ a much younger me. 

Gosh, I just love that cute face of T.